Abstract
The possibility of morality in a causally determined
physical world engages philosophers in a serious
debate. Many philosophers think morality is not
possible in a world where everything, including human
actions, is determined by antecedent causal conditions.
However, attempts to reconcile these apparently
contradictory views have come forth. What emerges
through the debate is that even if all human actions are
causally determined, moral commitments are
irreplaceable. Therefore, it is argued that causal
determination of our thoughts and actions does not
change the truth of morality. However, a morality
involving determinism seems to rely heavily on the
causal efficacy of moral judgments rather than the
possibility of a free action. The deterministic morality
focuses on human motivation as a cause and ignores the
possibility of a free choice. Moreover, a deterministic
morality is unable to account for the freedom of the will.
However, in serious climate of opinion, morality
essentially involves moral responsibility based on a free
choice and action. Thus, philosophical attempts to
reconcile determinism and morality under the
assumption of irreplaceable human interpersonal
attitudes seem not so convincing. This paper brings
forth the philosophical arguments involved; centralizing
on the contention that morality cannot be subsumed
under determinism.
Prof.Dr.Zahoor H.Babr. (2016 ) Determinism and the Possibility of Morality, Al Tafseer, Volume 27-28, Issue 2.
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